Soka Gakkai

Soka Gakkai is a Japanese Buddhist new religious movement which was founded by school principal Tsunesaburo Makiguchi on 18 November 1930. The movement was founded with the goal of creating world peace, achieving human self-improvement, and seeking happiness and truth. The movement's early leaders were persecuted by the fascist government before and during World War II, and it became a political organization after the war, represented by the center-right Komeito party; it also tries to get involved in international politics to create a world environment of peace. The party seeks to convert others to its faith, and it is exclusive of other faith traditions, asking for members to rid themselves of their previous beliefs before joining. Soka Gakkai also believes in meditation and chanting, and the goal of these practices is achieving Buddhahood.